Art Textiles

"Creativity is intelligence having fun"

Albert Einstein

KS3

Textiles Technology is an area within Design and Technology. Throughout KS3 students gain an understanding of basic textile techniques and applications to make good quality textile products. Basic skills are fundamental to creativity within textiles. The sewing machine and hand embroidery techniques provide a great starting point for future works. Students are encouraged to produce unique personal creations using a variety of mixed media techniques.

Textile lessons enable students to develop their sewing skills, but remember textiles isn't just about sewing! A wide variety of exciting workshops in both stitch and print applications are delivered to enable students to develop their understanding of the subject well. Students are encouraged to take risks with their work and to develop their own personal style using inspiration from a number of textile designers and themes. Photography aids students with an initial starting point for their topic of choice, and the product outcome has ranged from tea bag dresses, patchwork quilts, travel bags, to interior design panels. Textiles is about having fun and exploring what the endless possibilities are using a variety of materials.

In addition to the practical element of the course students develop their knowledge and understanding of technical textiles, ethical trading, sweatshops, and recycling. The design loop is also integral to the course to ensure that students become familiar with answering a design brief and working to a design specification.

Current projects:

Year 8: 1960's Textiles

Year 9: Identity and Culture

GCSE

GCSE enables students to further develop their textile skills through innovative, intricate and creative possibilities by studying a variety of topics. Students create personal responses by applying techniques such as felt-making, collage embroidery, screen printing, photography, print, stitch and dye works juxtaposed with drawing and development skills. The course is enhanced with research trips to complement students’ coursework and provide a hands-on experience.

A Level

AS Level is an exciting and challenging course, which encourages students to build on their creative skills, knowledge and understanding acquired at GCSE in their Design or Art-based subjects. This diverse course enables students to develop their intellectual, imaginative and creative powers, through a series of practical units. In addition, they will demonstrate their ability and aesthetic understanding through visual studies and drawing, which will provide the means for exploring ideas using a wide variety of techniques. These techniques will include a variety of printed, stitched and innovative applications. Fundamental ideas about colour, pattern, texture, image and form, together with technical and practical skills are developed in a wide range of disciplines to provide exciting outcomes.

A2 Art Textiles will extend students’ learning further by producing a range of investigations/research studies, in which they clearly document the development of ideas, skills, techniques and cultural connections. The production of a personal investigation and major project will demonstrate students’ knowledge by studying a range of Design, Textile or Art experiences. Students will develop their own individual and creative flair resulting in the creation of an exciting portfolio.

Textiles on Instagram

Textiles has it's own Instagram page (Textilesdrhs) showcasing the amazing work that students produce. You can view the account by clicking below.